The 2:10:30 that Virgin beat Rodgers with is kind of misleading. By 1981, despite being only 33, Rodgers was already in decline in the Marathon. He was on his thritieth 'thon, twice as many as most pros make it through. His peak at some of the shorter distances came in '81 and 82', but his marathon peak came between 75' and 79'. He was losing the finite ability to push through the marathon wall, after already pushing the limits for the last six years, running four or five fast Marathons a year. Virgin, on the other hand, still had fresh marathon legs.
Plus it works both ways. Look to the '78 Falmouth race. At 7.1 miles, Virgin should have had the upper hand due to the shorter distances. Plus, the race was taken out in under 4:15, below Bill's "PR" (Granted, not sure just where he was in the pack) Such a race should have kindled to Virgin's needs, yet Rodgers blasted away with the win in 32:31, a new course record. Virgin was 4th or 5th if I remember right.
The marathon is a track and field event. Rodgers belongs in the HOF. So does Virgin.